Cable trough system and method

ABSTRACT

A telecommunications cable management system includes trough elements including a planar top surface and sides for cable routing and management. The trough elements are made from separate parts assembled together with a mating arrangement. The mating arrangement allows assembly of the system on site, such as by snapping the parts together. The trough elements are then assembled together to form the cable management system.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates to application Ser. No. 11/246,003,filed Oct. 7, 2005, entitled CABLE TROUGH SYSTEM AND METHOD. ApplicationSer. No. 11/246,003 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a system for the management and routing ofcables, such as telecommunications cables. More particularly, thisinvention pertains to troughs, fittings, and couplings for the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the telecommunications industry, the use of optical fibers for signaltransmissions is accelerating. With the increased utilization of opticalfiber systems, optical fiber cable management requires industryattention.

One area of optical fiber management that is necessary is the routing ofoptical fibers from one piece of equipment to another. For example, in atelecommunications facility, optical fiber cables may be routed betweenfiber distribution equipment and optical line terminating equipment. Inbuildings and other structures which carry such equipment, the cablerouting can take place in concealed ceiling areas or in any other mannerto route cables from one location to another. Copper cables, hybridcables or other transmission cables also need proper management andprotection.

When routing optical fibers, it is desirable that a routing system willbe easy to assemble, readily accessible and adaptable to changes inequipment needs. Accordingly, such routing systems include a pluralityof trough members such as troughs and couplings for forming the cablerouting paths. The trough system members are joined together bycouplings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,678 to Henneberger et al dated Nov. 26,1991 concerns a cable routing system that includes a plurality oftroughs and fittings. The '678 patent further discloses a coupling(element 250 in FIG. 1 of the '678 patent) for joining trough membersand fittings. With best reference to FIGS. 6-7 of the '678 patent, aplurality of hardware is disclosed for joining the trough members. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,316,243; 5,752,781 and 6,715,719 show additional examples ofcouplings.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,875 shows a cable trough system with variousseparate components joined together to assemble the system.

Several concerns arise with cable routing systems, including the ease ofmanufacture and installation of the troughs, couplings, and fittings,and the adequacy of the size of the system components to handle thenumber of cables in the system. Having enough space for the cablespassing through the system is a particular concern as higher and higherdensities are desired. There is a need for continued development ofcable management systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A telecommunications cable management system includes trough elementsincluding a planar top surface and sides for cable routing andmanagement. In one preferred embodiment, the trough elements are madefrom separate parts assembled together. In one preferred embodiment, amating arrangement is used to assemble the parts together. The matingarrangement allows assembly of the system on site, such as by snappingthe parts together. The trough elements are then assembled together toform the cable management system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a telecommunications cablemanagement system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a longitudinal trough member of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the trough member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of the mating arrangement between sectionsof the longitudinal trough member of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to the view FIG. 4, showing the sections duringthe mating operation;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of one of the couplers of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cross component of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cross component of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cross component of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged portion of the view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the mating arrangement betweentwo sections of the cross component;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the cross component of FIG. 7showing two sections separated from the rest;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged portion of the view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of one of the sections of the crosscomponent of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the section of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the section of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the section of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a first side view of the section of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a further side view of the section of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the Tee component of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a first side view of the Tee component of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a further side view of the Tee component of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the Tee component of FIG. 20showing one section separated from the rest;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged portion of the view of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of the elbow component of the systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the elbow component of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the elbow component of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of the reducer component of the systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acoupler;

FIG. 30 is a top perspective view of a further alternative embodiment ofa coupler;

FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of the coupler of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the coupler FIGS.30 and 31;

FIG. 33 is a first bottom perspective view of one of the sections of thecoupler of FIGS. 30 and 31;

FIG. 34 is a further bottom perspective view of the section of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of alongitudinal trough member;

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective view of the longitudinal trough memberof FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a top view of the longitudinal trough member of FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a bottom view of the longitudinal trough member of FIG. 35,with portions removed;

FIG. 39 is an end view of the longitudinal trough member of FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is an exploded top perspective view of the longitudinal troughmember of FIG. 35;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged top perspective view of the view of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a bottom perspective view of one of the longitudinal sectionsof the longitudinal trough member of FIG. 35;

FIG. 43 is a further bottom perspective view of the longitudinal sectionof FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is an end view of the longitudinal section of FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is a top view of the longitudinal section of FIG. 42, withportions removed;

FIG. 46 is a bottom view of the longitudinal section of FIG. 42, withportions removed;

FIG. 47 is a first side view of the longitudinal section of FIG. 42,with portions removed;

FIG. 48 is an opposite side view of the longitudinal section of FIG. 42,with portions removed;

FIG. 49 is an end view of a middle section of the longitudinal troughmember of FIG. 35;

FIG. 50 is an end view of the longitudinal trough member of FIG. 35,shown with a mounting structure;

FIG. 51 is a bottom view of a mounting bracket of the mounting structureof FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is an end view of a further alternative embodiment of a coupler;

FIG. 53 is a side view of the coupler of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a bottom view of the coupler of FIG. 52;

FIG. 55 is an exploded perspective view of the coupler of FIG. 52;

FIG. 56 is a further exploded bottom perspective view of portions of thecoupler of FIG. 52;

FIG. 57 is an enlarged view of the bottom perspective view of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is a top perspective view of one of the components of thecoupler of FIG. 52;

FIG. 59 is a bottom perspective view of the component of FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a further top perspective view of the component of FIG. 58;

FIG. 61 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of one of thesections of the cross component of FIG. 7;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged view of a portion of the section of FIG. 61; and

FIG. 63 is an exploded perspective view of portions of a cross componentincluding four of the sections shown in FIG. 61.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a cable management system with improvedmanufacturability and customization capabilities over prior art cablemanagement systems. One aspect of the present invention is the use ofsections which are assembled into trough components which are thenassembled together to form the cable management system. Variouscomponents and configurations are anticipated in accordance with thepresent invention. Various examples of the components and configurationsare illustrated in FIGS. 1-63. However, it is to be appreciated thatnumerous other components and configurations are possible.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 for cable management is positionedover a cabinet, a frame, bay or other equipment (not shown) which mayinclude an array of connectors or other telecommunications equipment forconnecting to the cables in system 10. System 10 is hung from theceiling or mounted to the equipment, with various brackets and hardware.

Example system 10 includes various trough elements which together formcable pathways for holding and managing fiber optic cables. System 10includes longitudinal trough members 14, and couplers 16 for joining thelongitudinal trough members 14 to other trough elements including across component 18, a Tee component 20, an elbow component 22, and areducer 24. System 10 can be expanded in various directions by addingfurther components 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. Other arrangements arepossible for the noted components including arrangements that use lessthan all of the noted components, or additional components, as desired.For example, a cable exit trough can be added to allow cables to enterand exit the trough components for downward travel to equipment belowtrough components. U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,373, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference, shows an example cable exit trough mountableto lateral trough member 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, longitudinal trough member 14 preferably hasa continuous cross-section, and can be cut to the desired length L₁.Longitudinal trough member 14 is preferably by an extrusion process. Asshown, longitudinal trough member 14 is made from separate sectionsassembled together to form longitudinal trough member 14. A matingarrangement 30 mounts the separate sides 32 to middle 34. In onepreferred embodiment, the mating arrangement 30 includes a snap fit.FIGS. 4 and 5 show the snap fit between one of sides 32 and middle 34.As shown, mating arrangement 30 includes first and second pockets 38,40, which receive first and second projections 44, 46, respectively.During assembly, first projection 44 is inserted into first pocket 38,and the side 32 is pivoted relative to middle 34 until second projection46 is received in second pocket 40 to hold the side to the middle. (SeeFIGS. 4 and 5). First projection 44 has a bent shape which fits intofirst pocket 38 defined by base 39 and tab 41. Second projection 46 isflexible outward and includes a shoulder 47 which is positioned againstshoulder 43 of second pocket 40. A similar mating arrangement 30 mountsthe other side 32 to the other side of middle 34.

One advantage in assembling longitudinal trough member 14 from separateparts is that larger longitudinal trough members 14 can be made moreeasily than might be possible if the whole structure was made in asingle extrusion. For example, making longitudinal trough member 14 insizes over 12 inches across (see dimension W1 in FIGS. 2 and 3),including as much as 24 inches across or more, can be difficult to moldin a single part with an extrusion. Also, different sides 32 can bemated with different middles 34, as desired.

Longitudinal trough member 14 preferably includes structure on ends 50for mating with other system components. As shown, longitudinal troughmember 14 preferably includes attachment members 52 and pockets 54, formating with couplers 16, as will be described below.

As shown, middle 34 of longitudinal trough member 14 is generally aplanar shaped element. Sides 32 have a planar bottom portion 41, and anupstanding side portion 42. If desired, upstanding side portions 42 canbe separate side elements mounted to planar bottom portion 41, such aswith a snap mount. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,875 discloses variousarrangements including separate side elements. The disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 6,631,875 is hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, longitudinal trough member 14 defines abottom 56 and upstanding side walls 58 for holding cables within aninterior. Sufficient numbers of longitudinal trough members 14 areincluded in system 10 to define the appropriate cable routing pathways.Cross components 18 and Tee components 20 allow for side exits in ahorizontal direction from the longitudinal pathways defined bylongitudinal trough members 14. Couplers 16 join longitudinal troughmembers 14 to cross components 18 and Tee components 20 as shown inFIG. 1. Elbows 22 can also be used to change the cable pathway directionbetween two longitudinal trough members 14, or between a longitudinaltrough member 14 and one of the cross components 18 or Tee components20.

Now with reference to FIG. 6, coupler 16 includes at least one lockingelement 62 for mating with an attachment member 52 of longitudinaltrough member 14. Further details of locking of coupler 16 tolongitudinal trough member 14 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,719,the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Other couplers canbe used such as the couplers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,781, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The couplers of U.S.Pat. No. 5,752,781 use fasteners to mount the system components. Stillfurther couplers usable in system 10 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,067,678 and 5,316,243, the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference. The system components matable with couplers 16 or othercouplers may need appropriately configured mating structures, or becapable of attachment by other means to the couplers, such as by springsor fasteners, as in the prior noted patents.

Coupler 16 also includes projections 64 on both ends 66 for receipt inpockets 54 of longitudinal trough members 14. Coupler defines a bottom68 and upstanding side walls 70 for holding cables within an interior.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-19, further features of cross component 18 areshown. Cross component 18 includes a base 82, four upstanding side walls84, and four ends 86. Ends are connectable to couplers 16. Base 82 andside walls 84 define cable pathways across cross component 18. Sidewalls 84 have a convexly curved shape to provide bend radius protectionfor the cables that may bend around within cross component 18 from oneend 86 to an adjacent end 86. Ends 86 are mountable to couplers 16, orother couplers configured to lock to cross component 18.

Cross component 18 is preferably assembled from separate parts orsections 88. A mating arrangement 90 connects the sections 88 together.Each section 88 includes edges 92, 94, 96, 98, a base 100, and one sidewall 84. Mating arrangement 90 mates edges 92 to edges 94 of adjacentsections 88. Edges 96, 98 form ends 86. In the illustrated embodiment,cross component 18 is made from four identical sections 88. Oneadvantage of such a construction is that the mold for making component18 out of moldable materials does not have to be as large as the moldwould need to be to mold component 18 as a single integral part.

Mating arrangement 90 includes a shoulder 102 on edge 92, and a flexibletab 110 on edge 94. Tab 110 includes an edge surface 112 which engagesshoulder 102. Tab 110 also includes a ramp 114 for allowing tab 110 toclear shoulder 102, so edge surface 112 can engage shoulder 102.Preferably, a plurality of mating shoulders 102 and tabs 110 areprovided along edges 92, 94, respectively. A u-shaped projection 116surrounds tab 110. An enclosure 104 on edge 92 surrounds projection 116when mated. To mount one section 88 to another section 88, edge 94 ispositioned vertically above edge 92. Tabs 110 and projections 116 enterenclosure 104, until edge 112 engages shoulder 102. In one method ofassembly, two sections are mated together, and two further sections aremated together, then the two mated portions are mated together byrotating the two mated portions so that the respective shoulders 102 andtabs 110 are mated between the two mated portions.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, Tee component 20 is formed from twosections 88 as described above, and a longitudinal section 150. Sections88 snap together as noted above. Sections 88 snap to longitudinalsection 150 with a mating arrangement 152, including flexible tabs 110along edge portion 192, and shoulders 102 along edge portion 194, of thetypes as noted above. The mated sections 88 are rotated relative tolongitudinal section 150 in order for the shoulders 102 and tabs 110 tobe mated. With this construction, sections 88 can be used to assemblecross component 18 or Tee component 20. Tee component 20 has three ends,ends 86 of the type noted above, and opposite ends 154, all of which aremountable to couplers 16, or other couplers configured to lock to Teecomponent 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-27, elbow component 22 is shown in furtherdetail. Elbow component 22 includes a base 200, and upstanding innerside wall 202 and outer side wall 204. Edges 212 and 214 connect tocouplers 16. Edges 212 and 214 are at an angle to one another, such asat an angle of about 45 degrees. Such a construction allows for a changeof direction of the cable pathway between components connected at eachend. Two can be used for a 90 degree elbow. In the illustratedembodiment, curved guide walls or fins 206, 208, 210 are positioned inthe interior of elbow to help guide the cables and help keep the cablesfrom bunching up against inner side wall 202.

Referring now to FIG. 28, reducer component 24 is shown reducing thewidth of the lateral trough section pathway from one dimension W1 to asmaller dimension W2. End 220 is at the wider dimension W1, such as 24inches, and opposite end 222 is at the narrower dimension W2, such as 12inches. Reducer component 24 is mountable to couplers 16, or othercouplers configured to lock to cross component 18.

Referring now to FIG. 29, and alternative embodiment of a coupler 260 isshown with guide tabs 262 protruding from projections 64. Guide tabs 262assist with locating projections 62 in the pockets of longitudinaltrough members 14 during assembly of the system.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-34, an alternative embodiment of a coupler 360is shown. Coupler 360 is provided in two sections 362, 364, which arepreferably identical. A mating arrangement 370 mounts the two sections362, 364 together. One preferred embodiment of mating arrangement 370includes snaps. Each section 362, 364 includes first and second walls372, 374 offset from one another. First wall 372 includes first tabs 380with shoulders 382, and an aperture 384. Second wall 374 includes secondtabs 390 with shoulders 392, and an aperture 394. The first tabs 380 ofeach wall 372 fit into the aperture 384 of the other wall 372 of theother section. The second tabs 390 of each wall 374 fit into theaperture 394 of the other wall 374 of the other section. Further cutouts396, 398 are also matable together when mounting the sections together.By making the coupler in two sections, a less costly mold is needed formaking coupling 360 from moldable materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 35-51, an alternative embodiment of alongitudinal trough member 414 is shown. Longitudinal trough member 414is usable in system 10 and can be mated with the various couplers 16,260, 360. Longitudinal trough member 414 includes multiple componentsheld together by a mating arrangement 430. Longitudinal trough member414 includes two sides 432 and a middle 434 which join together to formthe U-shaped trough. In the illustrated embodiment, longitudinal troughmember 414 is 6 feet long. Other lengths can be used, including longeror shorter.

Each of sides 432 of longitudinal trough member 414 are identical in thepreferred embodiment. A base 460 defines a bottom wall of sides 432. Thebase includes an inside wall 462 and an outside wall 464. The pluralityof ribs 466 define a space 468 between inside wall 462 and outside wall464. A similar construction is provided for side walls 470, including aninside wall 472 an outside wall 474, and ribs 476.

Each of sides 432 include various channels. Lower channels 480 permitconnection of mounting hardware as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51. Lowerchannels 480 include a slotted opening 482 and a rounded top 484. FIG.50 shows longitudinal trough member 414 connected to mounting bracket520 of mounting structure 530 with mounting lugs 522. Lugs 522 fit intoslotted openings 482 and the channels bounded by rounded tops 484.

Sides 432 further include side channels 488 also for use in mountinghardware or other system components. With respect to lower channels 480and side channels 488 various structures associated with the couplers16, 260, 360 and other system components will mate with the channels tointerconnect the system components.

Sides 432 also include mating channels 490 for use in mating with middle434. Each mating channel 490 includes an inner shoulder 492.

When sides 432 and middle 434 are mated, only a single seam 438 isexposed within the cable troughing area 440 of longitudinal troughmember 414. As shown in FIGS. 39-41, middle 434 is inserted withinmating channel 490 to maintain sides 432 together. In the illustratedembodiment, middle 434 is constructed in two separate segments or pieces436, which can be longitudinally inserted into mating channel 490 fromopposite ends. As shown in FIG. 49, middle 434 includes a top 502, amiddle portion 504 and a base 506 generally defining a T-shape. Middle434 also includes two shoulders 508 which cooperate with shoulders 492of mating channel 490 to retain sides 43 together. In the preferredembodiment, middle 434 includes a plurality of small ribs 510 which alsorun longitudinally along middle 434 to assist with forming a secure andtight fit within mating channels 490.

Referring now to FIGS. 52-60, an alternative embodiment of a coupler 560is shown. Coupler 560 includes identical sections 562, 564. Sections562, 564 include a mating arrangement 570 for connecting sections 562,564 together. One preferred mating arrangement 570 includes snaps. Eachsection 562, 564 includes an offset portion 572. A snap 574 on eachsection 562, 564 fits into a recess 576 on the other section 564, 562.Various further mating arrangements including dovetails are used inmating arrangement 570. A first dovetail slide arrangement includes afirst projection 582 and a mating groove 584. The second dovetail slidearrangement includes a pin 588 and a mating slot 590.

Referring now to FIGS. 61-63, an alternative embodiment of a section 688of a modified cross component is shown. In similar manner as above forcross component 18, each cross component can also be made using fourseparate but matable sections 688. A mating arrangement 690 connectssections 688 together. In general, mating arrangement 690 works in asimilar manner as mating arrangement 90, described above. Onedifference, useful to assist in reducing the forces necessary toassemble a cross component, includes one of tabs 710 including a smoothsurface 711, instead of a tab 712, similar to tab 112 noted above. Afurther difference over mating arrangement 90 described above is the useof ramp surfaces 720, 722 on enclosure 704. Such ramps assist withalignment of tabs 710 during assembly.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A telecommunications cable management system comprising: a baseincluding a planar top surface, and an opposite facing bottom surface,the base including first and second ends, and first and second sides,the ends and the sides forming a perimeter of the base element; twoupstanding sides extending from the base; wherein the base includesfirst and second laterally extending sections; a mating arrangementbetween the first and second laterally extending sections, wherein themating arrangement extends parallel to the upstanding sides; wherein theupstanding sides are longitudinal sides extending parallel to oneanother to define a longitudinal trough member, and wherein the firstand second laterally extending sections extend parallel to theupstanding sides; wherein the mating arrangement includes a thirdlaterally extending section extending parallel to the upstanding sides,the third laterally extending section extending between the first andsecond laterally extending sections, wherein the first and secondlaterally extending sections abut one another.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the third laterally extending section defines a T-shape incross-section.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base includes aninside wall and a spaced outside wall.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe third laterally extending section is formed of plural segments,shorter than the first and second laterally extending sections.
 5. Atelecommunications cable management system comprising: a base includinga planar top surface, and an opposite facing bottom surface, the baseincluding first and second ends, and first and second sides, the endsand the sides forming a perimeter of the base element; two upstandingsides extending from the base; wherein the base includes first andsecond laterally extending sections; a mating arrangement between thefirst and second laterally extending sections; wherein the matingarrangement includes a snap; wherein the upstanding sides and the basedefine a coupling having a trough shape, wherein the coupling includes alocking member for locking to another system component; wherein themating arrangement further includes a dovetail slide.
 6. Atelecommunications cable management system comprising: a base includinga planar top surface, and an opposite facing bottom surface, the baseincluding first and second ends, and first and second sides, the endsand the sides forming a perimeter of the base element; at least oneupstanding side extending from the base; wherein the base includes firstand second laterally extending sections; a mating arrangement betweenthe first and second laterally extending sections; wherein the matingarrangement includes a plurality of snaps, wherein the snaps include aplurality of projections, wherein at least one has a latching shoulder,and at least one other has no latching shoulder, wherein the snapsfurther include a plurality of enclosures sized to receive one of theprojections, wherein the enclosures include lead-in ramps.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein snaps are configured to be rotatably mated from anunsnapped position to a snapped position.
 8. The system of claim 6,wherein the one upstanding side is a first upstanding side, and furthercomprising a second upstanding side.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe first and second upstanding sides are longitudinal sides extendingparallel to one another to define a longitudinal trough member, andwherein the first and second laterally extending sections extendparallel to the upstanding sides.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein thefirst and second upstanding sides are curved sides to define at leastthree cable pathways.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprisingthird and fourth upstanding curved sides, wherein at least four cablepathways are defined.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the baseincludes third and fourth laterally extending sections, wherein a matingarrangement is between the second and third laterally extendingsections, between the third and fourth laterally extending sections, andbetween the fourth and first laterally extending sections, wherein across component is defined.